National and Local Award Opportunities

53^rd Annual National Achievement Awards

College Seniors and Graduate Students who are Blind or Visually-Impaired

About SAA

Each year, the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards (SAAs) are presented to Learning Ally members who are blind or visually impaired and have received, or will be receiving their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. The awards are given in recognition of academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and service to others.

Mary P. Oenslager was a friend of Anne Macdonald, our founder. She began contributing to RFB&D in 1953 and, in 1959, helped us establish the Scholastic Achievement Awards program, personally funding the awards each year. Mary shaped the program and enjoyed getting to know the winners each year. In addition to providing financial support, she was an active volunteer, serving on our Board of Directors and actively recruiting individual and corporate supporters.

These awards are given to nine students who are chosen by a selection committee. Learning Ally presents three top winners $6,000 each; three special honors winners $3,000 each; and three honors winners $1,000 each. The three top winners will be presented with their awards at an event to be announced.

Eligibility Requirements

• I am legally blind
• I have been registered as a Learning Ally member for at least one year up to and including the period of March 15, 2011- March 15, 2012 (individually or through a school).
• I have received, or will receive, a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United State or its territories between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
• I have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent if an alternative grading system is used).
• I have not previously received an award from Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D.
• I am not a family member of a Learning Ally staff member or volunteer serving on a local or national board.

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High School Seniors who are Learning Disabled

About LTL

Each year, the Marion Huber Learning Through Listening (LTL) awards are presented to Learning Ally members who are high school seniors with learning disabilities, in recognition of academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and service to others.

Marion Huber made her first gift of $200 to RFB&D in 1959. By 1990, she was making gifts in the range of $20,000. Marion was particularly focused on Learning Ally's expanded mission, reaching out to students with learning disabilities. She observed the power of "Learning Through Listening" to transform lives, and it was for this reason that she endowed our award for students with dyslexia and other disabilities that prevent effective reading. By creating a permanent endowment, Marion Huber ensured that the work she valued during her lifetime continues today.

Offered since 1991, the awards are given to six students who are chosen by a selection committee. Learning Ally presents the three top winners $6,000 each and three special honors winners $2,000 each. The three top winners will be presented with their awards at an event to be announced.

Eligibility Requirements

• I have a specific learning disability (please not that visual impairment or physical disability alone does not indicate eligibility for this award).
• I have been registered as a Learning Ally member for at least one year up to and including the period of March 15, 2011- March 15, 2012 (individually or through a school).
• I am a member of the 2012 graduating class of a public, private or homeschool in the United States or its territories, including U.S. military installations.
• I have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent if an alternative grading system is used) based on grade levels 9 through 12 at the time of application.
• I plan to continue my formal education beyond high school at either a two or four-year college or vocational school.
• I have not previously received an award from Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D.
• I am not a family member of a Learning Ally staff member or volunteer serving on a local or national board.

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Local Awards

High School Juniors or Seniors and College Undergraduates in Southern California

About Winslow Coyne Reitnouer SAA Awards

Each year, the Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Scholastic Achievement Awards are presented to Learning Ally members in Southern California with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or visual impairments in recognition of academic excellence, outstanding leadership and service to others.

Since 1980, Winslow has been a dedicated volunteer in the Hollywood studio for Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D. She has been a reader, board member and a tireless advocate, who also served three years on the National Board of Directors. At an annual benefit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood studio in 2001, Winslow's family made a surprise announcement of the establishment of this award fund in her name.

Two first place winners, chosen by a selection committee, will receive $2,500 each and two second place winners will receive $1,500 each ($500 more each than last year's awards).

Eligibility Requirements

• I have a learning disability, physical disability or visual impairment.
• I have been registered as a Learning Ally member for at least one year up to and including the period of March 15, 2011- March 15, 2012 (individually or through a school) and have borrowed at least 4 audiobooks.
• I am and will be enrolled in a public or private high school or college as of March 15, 2012. High school students must be in their junior or senior year at the time of application. College-level students who have already completed their undergraduate coursework are ineligible.
• I reside or attend school in one of the following counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego or Imperial.
• I have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent if an alternative grading system is used) or a 2.0 GPA with consistent improvement in grades.
• I have not previously received an award from Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D.
• I am not a family member of a Learning Ally staff member or volunteer serving on a local or national board.

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High School Students in the Metropolitan DC Area

About William L. Ritchie LTL Award

Each year, the William L. Ritchie Learning Through Listening Award is presented to a Learning Ally member in the DC Metropolitan area with learning disabilities or visual impairments who, through persistence and determination, has overcome obstacles to accomplish his or her goals.

William is a long-time volunteer, former Board of Directors member and a generous supporter of Learning Ally in Metropolitan Washington, DC. He endowed this award, which bears his name, to assist deserving members in furthering their education.

One winner, chosen by a selection committee, will receive $1,000 at the annual benefit on May 19, 2012.

Eligibility Requirements

• I have a learning disability or visual impairment.
• I have been registered as a Learning Ally member for at least one year up to and including the period of March 15, 2011- March 15, 2012 (individually or through a school) and have borrowed at least 4 audiobooks.
• I am currently enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school (or homeschool).
• I reside or attend school in one of the following jurisdictions: the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Fairfax and Alexandria in Virginia; Montgomery, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince Georges counties in Maryland.
• I have not previously received an award from Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D.
• I am not a family member of a Learning Ally staff member or volunteer serving on a local or national board.

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